China, page 6
Day 1 (Friday, April 13) • Depart San Francisco for Shanghai
We flew United Airlines from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and were met in Shanghai by our tour director,
Wei Li.
Day 2 (Saturday, April 14) • Arrive Shanghai
After clearing customs and immigration, we were escorted to the Le Royal Meridien Hotel.
Day 3 (Sunday, April 15) • Shanghai
Our full-day tour included the Shanghai Museum, Nanjing Road shops, the Jade Buddha Temple, and a
carpet factory. We also visited the European-style Bund and the Children's Palace (an after-school
program). After dinner, we saw a performance of the renowned Shanghai acrobats.
Day 4 (Monday, April 16) • Shanghai / Zhujiajiao / Suzhou
The morning tour included a visit to the picturesque water town of Zhujiajiao, known for its winding
canals, arched bridges, and Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture. We also took a sampan ride on the
canals. In the afternoon, we drove to the charming garden city of Suzhou, where we checked into the
Sheraton Suzhou Hotel & Towers.
Day 5 (Tuesday, April 17) • Suzhou
Our tour of Suzhou, noted for its ancient gardens, included the Lingering Garden, Embroidery Research
Institute, North Temple Pagoda, Pan Men City Gate, and a silk spinning mill.
Day 6 (Wednesday, April 18) • Suzhou / Shanghai / Yichang
In the morning we took a bus back to Shanghai for a flight to Yichang. After lunch, we boarded the
Victoria Katarina in preparation for our cruise upstream in an outside cabin with balcony.
Day 7 (Thursday, April 19) • Yangtze River Cruise: San Dou Ping / Xiling Gorge
Before leaving the dock, we took a bus to San Dou Ping to see the Three Gorges Dam Project. We
returned to the ship and begin sailing through the through Xiling Gorge, longest of the famed Three
Gorges.
Day 8 (Friday, April 20) • Yangtze River Cruise: Wu Gorge / Daning River Small Gorges
We sailed early through Wu Gorge's deep zigzagging valley. At Wushan, we took a cruiser excursion up
the Daning River to see its famous Small Gorges, including the picturesque mini-gorges of the Ma Du
River by sampan. We returned to our cruise ship and passed through the Qutang Gorge, framed by
steep mossy cliffs.
Day 9 (Saturday, April 21) • Yangtze River Cruise: Fengdu
Our shore excursion included a tour of the ancient "ghost city" of Fengdu.
Day 10 (Sunday, April 22) • Yangtze River Cruise: Chongqing / Dazu / Chongqing
In the morning, we cruised through now-gentle countryside to Chongqing. On arrival, we boarded a
motor coach for Dazu, famed for its Buddhist archeological sites. After lunch we toured the monumental
Buddhist sculptures at Beishan and Baodingshan. We returned to Chongqing to check into the Hilton
Chongqing Hotel.
Day 11 (Monday, April 23) • Chongqing / Xi'an
The morning's city tour included the Chongqing Zoo, home to pandas and the South China tiger, one of
the most endangered big cats. Later, we flew to Xi'an. On arrival, we toured the Shaanxi Provincial
Historical Museum before checking in to the Shangri-La Golden Flower Hotel.
Day 12 (Tuesday, April 24) • Xi'an
We visited the famed life-sized terracotta legion of warriors, buried with the emperor for over 2,200
years. After a dumpling lunch at the renowned Defachang Restaurant, we visited the Wild Goose
Pagoda and a local jade factory. In the evening we enjoyed a dinner show at the Tang Dynasty Theatre.
Day 13 (Wednesday, April 25) • Xi'an / Beijing
After our morning flight to China's capital, Beijing, we toured Tiananmen Square and then checked into
the Hilton Beijing Hotel. In the afternoon, we enjoyed a pedicab ride through the Hutong district's
ancient narrow streets, including a visit to the Hutong home of a retired CPA, as well as a stop at the
Drum Tower (Gu Lou).
Day 14 (Thursday, April 26) • Beijing
In the morning, we strolled along the Sacred Way, lined with statues of warriors and mythical beasts, to
the Ming Tombs and Chang Ling Exhibition Hall. We toured the Imperial Vault of Heaven with its Echo
Wall and the Nine-Dragon Cypress, thought to be more than 500 years old. After lunch, we visited a
cloisonné factory and traveled to the Great Wall at Badaling, where we walked along its ancient
ramparts.
Day 15 (Friday, April 27) • Beijing
We visited the Temple of Heaven where we saw the local morning exercise, including tai chi, water
calligraphy, and ballroom-style dancing. This was followed by a walk through the kilometer-long
Forbidden City, including a tour of the Imperial Palace. The final evening included a Peking Duck dinner
party.
Day 16 (Saturday, April 28) • Depart Beijing for San Francisco / Albuquerque aboard United Airlines
Day-by-Day Itinerary